Portable alarm device

ABSTRACT

A portable alarm device with a battery or low voltage operated sound signal triggered by a magnetic reed switch which is closed to complete the circuit by a magnet attached to a movably mounted arm, the poles of the magnet being positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the contact strips of the reed switch to cause the reed switch to close when the magnet is in either of two positions relative to the switch thereby permitting the device to be used with doors which open inwardly or outwardly, with sliding doors, in drawers or with windows on two sides of a room. The device may also be constructed to activate a light signal simultaneously with the sound signal. In a modified form of the device, for use in the purse or in a pocket, the magnet is positioned with its poles parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the contact strips of the reed switch to cause the reed switch to close when the magnet is in one position over the center portion of the reed switch.

United States Patent Murphy [541 PORTABLE ALARM DEVICE [72] Inventor: John D. Murphy, 22 East 22nd St.,

' Bayonne, NJ. 07002 221 Filed: June 25,1971

211 Appl.No.: 156,695

[52] US. Cl. ..340/283, 340/274, 335/205, 220/6193, 200/161 [51] Int. Cl. ..,...G08b 21/00 [58] Field of Search ..340/283, 274; 335/205;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,175,207 3/1965 Hewitt, Jr. ..340/283 X 3,537,093 10/1970 Perret ..340/274 Primary Examiner-John W. Caldwell Assistant ExaminerMichael Slobasky Attorney-Gloria K. Koenig 1 51 Oct/3,1972

[5 7] ABSTRACT A portable alarm device with a battery or low voltage operated sound signal triggered by a magnetic reed switch which is closed to complete the circuit by a magnet attached to a movably mounted arm, the poles of the magnet being positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the contact strips of the reed switch to cause the reed switch to close when the magnet is in either of two positions relative to the switch thereby permitting the device to be used with doors which open inwardly or outwardly, with sliding doors, in drawers or with windows on two sides of a room. The device may also be constructed to activate a light signal simultaneously with the sound signal. In a modified form of the device, for use in the purse or in a pocket, the magnet is positioned with its poles parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the contact strips of the reed switch to cause the reed switch to close when the magnet is in one position over the center portion of the reed switch.

16 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEUucTs ma 3,696,380

SHEET 1 BF 3 I %8 4O 40 I 20 INVENTOR. JOHN D. MURPHY BY 1%,; 1 Z

ATTORNEY PATENTEUUCT 3 I972- SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR. JOHN o. MURPHY A TTORNEY PATENTEDum 3 m2 3.696; 380

SHEET 3 OF 3 32 48a INVENTOR.

JOHN D, MURPHY 424m; A. Mm-

ATTORNEY 1 PORTABLE ALARM DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION sound emitting signal, such as a buzzer or hell, which is activated by a magnetic reed switch which is closed to complete a circuit by a movably mounted magnet whose poles are positioned perpendicular to the contact strips of the reed switch to cause the contact strips to close when the magnet is in either of two positions relativeto the switch. A telephone plug'may be electrically connected to the reed switch to activate an external flashlight having a telephone jack adapter. When constructed to operate from an AC source, a receptacle may be added to the device for use with a lamp, another signal device, a flash camera, an outside alarm siren, a tape recorder or any AC operated electronic device.

In a modified form of my alarm device, a very small unit is made for carrying in a purse or a pocket. The device is constructed with a movably mounted magnet having its poles parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the contact strips of a reed switch to cause the reed switch to close when the magnet is in one position at the center portion of the reed switch.

In addition to use in a burglar alarm system, the magnetic reed switch assembly can be used in the military field as a lightweight, portable tripping device for booby traps, land mines and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art There are many so-called portable burglar alarms, but most require some kind of permanent installation in the area of the doors, windows or drawers to be protected against unauthorized entry. In addition, most alarms have switching mechanisms which are operable inonly one direction. That is, the switch which activates the alarm system operates only when moved in one particular direction and limits the use of the device to one side of a door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a portable alarm device which can be used without any permanent installation and which can be used for doors, windows and drawers.

It is another object of this invention to provide an alarm device which has a magnetic reed switch assembly which has two closed positions permitting the use of the device with doors which open either inwardly or outwardly from a room or which slide to the right or left to open and close, as well as permitting the use of a single device to guard windows on different walls of a room.

It is another object of this invention to provide an alarm device which may incorporate both an audible signal, such as a bell or buzzer, and a visual signal, such as a light. The addition of a light signal to the device has the double use of frightening a burglar and as a warning to the occupant of a premises who may be deaf and therefore unable to hear a buzzer signal. The device can be constructed to activate a direct current (DC) flashlight or an alternating current (AC) fioodlight, lamp, siren, flash camera, tape recorder or other electronic device operated on alternating current.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a small, compact device which is light in weight, inexpensive to manufacture, simple to place in operation and which can be moved and re-used without damaging the doors and windows of the various rooms in which it is placed.

These and various other objects and advantages of this invention will be more fully apparent from a consideration of the following description, drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is a top elevational view with the cover removed.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of certain parts.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of certain parts.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through the line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention in position to operate at windows.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of certain parts of device shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of the device.

FIG. 11 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is side elevational view of another modified form of the device.

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a crossectional view of device shown in FIG. 12 at the line 15-15.'

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now specifically to the drawings, FIG. I shows an embodiment of the invention 10 in operating position with respect to a door 11. An insulating housing 12, preferably rectangular in shape, is formed with a base 13, a front wall 14, a back wall 15, first and second side walls 16 and 17 respectively, and a removable cover 18. The cover 18 may be fixed in position by means of screws 22 a, b, c, d as shown in FIG. 2. The cover 18 may also be formed to snap on or it may be attached with a hinge.

A reciprocally movablearm 19 extends outwardly from the housing through an aperture 29 in the front wall 14. The movable arm 19 may be formed with a ring 20 on the outer end 40 for attachment to a hook 21 mounted on the door 11. The movable arm 19 may also be attached to a door by a suction cup or by adhesive tape. In certain circumstances, as will be described below, the unit need not be attached to the door but can operate when the outer end 40 or ring 20 of the movable arm 19 merely touches the door.

The first side wall 16 of the housing 12 is formed with two apertures 25, 26 adapted to hold spacer members device in the housing is shown in FIG. 3. Two 1% volt D or C batteries, 32, 33 are electrically connected in 'series by wires 47 to the single pole switch 23, a sound emitting means 34 such as a buzzer or bell and a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch of the leaf spring type 35. The batteries 32, 33 are held in place by a pair of battery clips 36, 37 affixed to the base 13 of the housing 12.

The reed switch 35 is fixedly mounted parallel to and inward from the first side wall 16 and parallel to and above the base 13 on a pair of L-shaped brackets 38, 39 which are attached to the base 13 of the housing. The reed switch 35 has a front end 44 and back end 45 proximate to the front wall 14 and back wall 15, respectively and a center portion 46. The movable arm 19 is movably reciprocally mounted parallel to the first side wall 16, and parallel to the reed switch 35. The movable arm 19 extends along the entire longitudinal dimension of the reed switch with the outer end of the arm 40 remaining outside of the housing 12 when the arm is pushed through the aperture 29 of the housing 12. I

Y I .The-commercially available reed switch 35 used in my device consists of two reed-like contacts of magstrips. In the practice of my invention, l have found that a rectangular magnet 1 inch long X three-fourths inch wide X one-eighth inch thick, with the north-south poles on the large faces of the magnet operates well with a 2 inch reed switch.

A magnet 43 having the position of its poles modified as just described is attached, as by a nut 52 and bolt 42 arrangement to the inner end 41 of the movable arm adjacent to the reed switch 35, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The nut 52 is positioned'to fit under the glass enclosed reed switch 35 and thereby serves as a guide member for the movable arm 19 and retains the magnet 43 at a fixed level relative to the reed switch 35 as it is moved with the movable arm 19. A grooved wheel with a bolt passing through the magnet or any other type of guide means may also be used.

A ridge 49 of non-conductive material is formed on the base 13 of the housing, proximate to the magnet 43 and reed switch 35 andparallel to the first side wall 16.

v The ridge 49 is formed with two apertures, a front apernetic material, hereafter called contact strips 48, 48a

which are in a normally opened position and which are brought together at the center portion of the switch 46 by the attraction of a magnet. In the ordinary operation of the glass enclosed reed switch, a magnet, having its north and south poles parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the contact strips, is provided by the manufacturer to bring the strips together in touching relationship when the magnet is placed adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch. Thus, in ordinary operation the reed switch has one closed or on-position when the magnet is adjacent to the center of the reed switch. When the magnet is moved to either end of the reed switch, the contact arms separate to break the circuit.

In my invention, I have changed the position of the poles of the magnet by 90, so that the north and south poles of the magnet are perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the contact strips 48, 48a. This change in the position of the poles of the magnet causes the contact arms 48, 48a to remain separated when the magnet 43 is directly adjacent to the center portion 46 of the reed switch and causes the contact arms 48, 48a to close or touch when the magnet 43 is adjacent to the front end 44 and to the back end 45 of the switch.

Thus, the operation of the reed switch is modified to have two closed or on-positions and one open or offposition. v

A magnet of any size may be used provided it exerts sufficient magnetic force to attract the contact strips, when the reed switch is operating in the ordinary way, that is when the north-south poles of the magnet are parallel to the longitudinal dimensions of the contact ture 50 and a back aperture 51, said apertures being below the reed switch 35 and being equidistant from the center portion 46 of the reed switch 35, the distance between the apertures being slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the magnet 43. The apertures 50, 51 are formed in alignment with the apertures 25, 26 in the first side wall 16 of the housing 12. Non-conductive spacer means 27, 28 such as pins, are provided for insertion through the aligned apertures in the first side wall 16 and ridge 49. As shown in FIG. 4, the insertion of both spacer pins 27, 28 prevents the movement of the magnet 43 and keeps the reed switch 35 in an open or off-position. In ordinary operation, only one spacer would be insertedat a time, in order to block the movement of the magnet in one direction.

When not in operation the single pole or toggle switch 23 is open to prevent the setting off of the buzzer 34 if the movable arm 19 is inadvertently moved. To operate the device, the switch 23 is closed, the movable arm 19 is positioned so that the magnet 43 is adjacent to the center of the reed switch 35, which leaves the contact strips 48, 48a of the reed switch in an open position. A small mark (not shown) on the outer end of the movable arm 40 indicates the open position of the reed switch 35. The device is set on the floor near the door 11 with the outer end of the movable arm 40 attached to the door, as by a ring 20 fastened on a hook mounted on the door, by a suction cup or adhesive tape. When the device is set to operate at a door which opens into the room in which the alarm device is placed, no mechanical means of attachment is necessary and the outer end of the movable arm 40 may simply be placed against the door. Thereafter the slightest inward pressure on the door will push the movable arm 19 into the housing 12 thereby moving the magnet 43 from the center 46 of the reed switch 35 toward the back end 45 of the reed switch. Thereupon the contact strips 48, 48a of the reed switch 35 close, the circuit is complete and the buzzer 34 sounds.

When the alarm device is placed to operate in a room where the door opens outwardly from the room, the movable arm 19 must be affixed to the door by one of the aforesaid means. Then when the door is opened, the movable arm 19 will be pulled out of the housing, moving the magnet 43 from the center portion 46 of the reed switch 35 to the front end of the switch 44, which movement closes the contact arms 48, 48a of the switch, closes the circuit and the buzzer 34 sounds.

In a similar manner as just described the alarm device may be used with sliding doors which slide either to the right or tothe left from a closed position by attaching the arm 19 of the device to the door. Movement of the sliding door will push or pull the movable arm 19 from its off-position and activate the alarm. Likewise, the device can be used with any door which has been intentionally left partially opened to admit a pet, such as a cat or a dog. The alarm device is attached to the door in its partially opened position. Thereafter any movement of the door, inward or out ward or from the right to left as with sliding doors, will activate the alarm.

The alarm device can also be used when a person wishes to set the alarm and then leave the room. When one wishes to set the alarm device within a room where the door opens inwardly, a spacer pin 28 is inserted through apertures and 50, thereby blocking the movement of the magnet 43 toward the front end 44 of the reed switch. The alarm device is then set on the floor, and attached to the inwardly opened door. When the occupant leaves the room the alarm device is pulled along by the movable arm 19 which is attached to the door until the door has been shut. The movable arm 19 and magnet 43 do not move during this operation because their movement is blocked by the spacer pin 28. Thereafter, when the door is opened into the room, the movable arm 19 and magnet 43 are pushed into the housing 12, the magnet 43 is moved toward the back end 45 of the reed switch, the contact strips 48, 48a of the reed switch close and the buzzer 34 sounds. Likewise, to set the alarm device inside, for instance, a closet or cabinet, where the doors generally open into the room, the alarm device is attached to the inside of the closet door, a spacer pin 28 is inserted through apertures 26 and 51 to block the movement of the magnet toward the back end of the reed switch 35 and the closet door is closed without activating the buzzer 34. Thereafter, when the closet door is opened the movable arm 19 is pulled forward out of the front end 14 of the housing, the magnet 43 moves to the front end 44 of the reed switch, the contact strips 48, 48a close to complete the circuit and the buzzer 34 sounds.

The lightly mounted movable arm 19 attached to a small magnet 43 adjacent to a reed switch 35, which is approximately 2 inches in length, forms a very sensitive, small alarm device which is activated by a very slight movement of the movable arm 19.

In addition to the sound emitting means 34, the alarm device may be constructed with a telephone plug 24 mounted in an aperture 31 of a wall of the housing and electrically connected to the reed switch by wires 53. A commercially available flashlight adapted as a circuit continuity tester and having a telephone jack connected thereto may be used with the alarm device to provide a light when the alarm device is activated. The telephone jack of the flashlight is inserted into the telephone plug 24 of the alarm device. When the reed switch 35 is closed by the movement of the magnet 43, the flashlight circuit is also closed and the flashlight bulb lights, serving as a further means to frighten an intruder.

A schematic wiring diagram of the alarm device as described is shown in FIG. 7. As indicated above, a single pole switch 23, such as a toggle switch, two batteries 32, 33, a signal means 34, such as buzzer or bell, and the reed switch 35 are electrically connected in series by wires 47. The telephone plug 24 is electrically connected to the reed switch 35 by wires 53. The arrangement permits the optional use of an external flashlight having its own electrical power source without draining the batteries of the alarm device.

A modified form of my invention for use with windows or doors on different sides of a room is shown in FIG. 8, where like parts are identified by the same numerals as in the first described embodiment 10 of the invention. The front wall 14 and the back wall 15 of the housing are each formed with an aperture 29 and 29a respectively. A movable arm 54 is reciprocally movably mounted to pass through apertures 29 and 29a in the front and back walls of the housing, respectively, and to extend beyond each wall. A pair of rings 20, 20a are formed at each end of the movable arm 54. A magnet 43, is mounted at the center portion of the movable arm 54, within the housing, adjacent to the reed switch 35, the movement of the magnet 43 along the longitudinal dimension of the reed switch 35 operating to open and close the contact strips 48, 48a of the reed switch 35 as heretofore described. One end of pieces of string 55, 55a is tied to each of the rings 20, 20a, respectively, on the movable arm 54 and the other end of each piece of string is affixed to the frame 56 of a different window. Thumb tacks or adhesive tape may be used for temporary attachment of the strings to the window frames. Small loops or rings may be attached .to window frames for a more permanent arrangement. When either string 55, 55a is pulled by the raising of the window frame 56, the movable arm 54 is moved from its position adjacent to the center portion 46 of the reed switch 35 towards the front end 44 or back end 45 of the reed switch 35, the circuit closes and the buzzer 34 sounds. As with the first described embodiment of my invention, the alarm device may include spacer pins 27, 28 to block the movement of the magnet 43, a single pole switch 23 and a telephone plug 24 to be used with the external light source, such as a flashlight.

Another embodiment of my invention, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is designed to operate from a 1 10 volt AC source. In this embodiment, the housing 12 is formed with an aperture 57 in the back wall 15 to permit the passage of an electric wire connected to a wall plug 58. An aperture 73 is formed in the cover 18 of housing through which an electric outlet or receptacle 71 is mounted. The remaining parts of the housing are the same as in the first described embodiment 10 of the invention and like parts are identified by the same numerals as in the first described embodiment of the invention.

As shown schematically in FIG. 11, the plug 58 is connected to a receptacle in communication with a regular 110 volt AC source. Wires 59, 60 leading from the plug 58 form a line voltage circuit or primary circuit 59, 60 which includes a socket or receptacle 71 and terminates in two contact points 69, at the terminals of wires 59, 60 respectively, which contact points are normally open and which are operably connected to a relay 66.

. Wires 61, 62 leading from wires 59, 60 respectively, are electrically connected to a step down transformer 63, which reduces the voltage from approximately 1 l volts to, between 10 and 20 volts, as required to activate the audible alarm system. Wires 64 and 65 lead from the transformer and are electrically connected in series to a single pole switch 23, a reed switch 35 and sound emitting means 34 to form an audible alarm or secondary circuit which operates as heretofore described for the battery operated alarm circuit.

: Wires67, 68 leading from the secondary circuit 64, 65 are electrically connected to a relay 66. A DC rectifier can be added between the step down transformer and the relay, if a DC relay is used. When the secondary circuit 64, 65 is closed, the relay 66 is activated to pull together the contact points 69, 70 of the primary circuit'59, 60 closing the primary circuit, and thereby into the receptacle 71. Many modifications in the positions of the electric plug 58 and receptacle 71 are possible. In one modification, with the movable arm constructed as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the electric plug 58 may be mounted directly on the housing 12, so that the alarm device may be mounted directly on the wall when the plug 58 is put into a wall socket. In another modification, instead of mounting the receptacle 71 in the housing, a receptacle and a bulb mounted at the a wall socket can be electrically connected to light when the secondary circuit is activated.

Another modification of my invention is shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15, where like numerals are used to describe like parts as shown in the previous embodiments of my invention. This modification is designed primarily to be carried on a person in the purse or in a pocket. An insulating housing 80, preferably cylindrical in shape, is formed with an opening in the back end 82 through which is mounted a sound emitting device 83, such as a buzzer. The buzzer 83 may be held in place by screws 91, 91a passing through holes tapped in the housing and buzzer wall. The front end 81 of the housing is formed with an aperture 84. A single 1% volt D or C battery 32, the buzzer 83 and a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch 35 are electrically connected in series by wires 47. As previously described, the reed switch has a pair of contact strips 48, 48a which are in a normally opened position.

A pair of U-shaped brackets 85, 86 are joined at right angles, to form a frame which holds the battery 32 in a fixed position against the wall of the housing 80 and provides a base on which to support the reed switch 35. The reed switch 35 is mounted in alignment with the longitudinal dimension of the housing 80. A ring-like support means 92 welded onto one of the U-shaped brackets 85 retains the reed switch 35 in a fixed position. A magnet 87 having its north and south poles parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the contact strips 48, 48a of the reed switch is reciprocally movably mounted adjacent to the reed switch by means of a reciprocally movable arm 88 having an inner and an outer end, the outer end extending beyond the aperture 84 in the front end 81 of the housing 80.-The magnet 87 is mounted on the inner end .of the arm 88 adjacent to the reed switch for movement with the arm. The movable arm 88 may be formed with a ring 89 on the end for ease of handling.

In this modification of the invention, wherein the north-south poles of the magnet 87 are positioned parallel to the contact strips 48, 48a of the reed switch 35, the reed switch operates in its normal way to have one closed position when the magnet 87 is adjacent to the center portion 46 of the reed switch. The movable arm 88 is formed of sufficient length to retain the magnet toward the back end of the reed switch 45 when the alarm device is not operating. When the movable arm 88 is pulled out of the housing through aperture 84 the magnet 87 is moved adjacent to the center portion 46 of the reed switch 35, the contact strips 48, 48a close to complete the circuit and the alarm is sounded.

A stop means 93, such as a small nut is affixed to the movable arm within the housing to limit the forward movement of the magnet to the center portion of the reed switch. Thus the magnet is limited to either a position adjacent the back end 45 of the reed switch whereby the contact strips remain open, or adjacent to the center portion 46 of the switch where the contact strips are closed. Once the arm 88 is pulled out of the housing to position the magnet 87 over the center portion 46 of the reed switch, the contact strips are closed and the alarm will continue to ring until the arm is pushed back into the housing.

As shown in FIG. 15, an L-shaped bracket 90 is mounted on the U-shaped bracket 85 to support the magnet 87 in a position adjacent to the reed switch 35 l have found that a rubber composition magnet, made of a commercially available composition comprised of rubber impregnated with magnetic powdered steel, and formed into a small rectangular bar works very well in that the slight adherence of the rubber to the L-shaped bracket supporting the magnet 87 causes a slight resistance in the movement of the movable arm 84 and prevents the alarm device from being set off inadvertently when carried in a purse or pocket. However, any type of magnet may be used which is mounted in a resilient guide means to hold the magnet under slight tension to prevent the movable arm from slipping out of the housing when the device is being carried.

A string may be attached to the ring 89 of the movable arm 88 which may then be pinned into the pocket or purse. Thereafter, if a person is attacked, the mere throwing of the alarm device out of the pocket or purse will set off the alarm device by the weight of the housing pulling downward against the movable arm 84 causing the magnet 87 to move to the center portion 46 of the reed switch 35 and closing the contact strips 48, 48a.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a new and improved portable alarm device. Modifications may of course be made in the illustrated and described embodiments without departing from the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A portable alarm device comprising:

a. an insulating housing formed with a base, a front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls and a removable cover, the front wall being formed with an aperture;

b. battery means;

c. sound emitting means;

d. a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch having two contact strips in a normally opened position, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center portion, the battery means, sound emitting means and reed switch being electrically connected in series; v

e. a magnet having its north and south poles posif. an arm having an inner and an outer end reciprocally movably mounted through the aperture in the front wall parallel to the reed switch, the outer end of the arm extending beyond the front wall of the housing, the magnet being mounted on the inner end of the arm adjacent to the reed switch for movement with the arm.

2. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 1,

wherein a. one of the side walls of the housing is formed with two apertures aligned with and equidistant from the center portion of the reed switch, the distance between the apertures being slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the magnet; and

b. a pair of removable, non-conductive spacer means are inserted through the apertures to retain the magnet at the center portion of the reed switch, the removal of one spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the front end of the reed switch and the removal of the second spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the back end of the switch.

3. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 2,

wherein a. the second side wall is formed with two apertures;

b. a single pole switch is mounted through one aperture and is electrically connected in series to the battery means, sound emitting means and reed switch; and

c. a telephone plug is mounted through the second aperture and is electrically connected to the reed switch,.the telephone plug being energized when the reed switch is closed.

4. A portable alarm device comprising:

a. an insulating housing formed with a base, a front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls and a removable cover, the front and back walls each being formed with an aperture in alignment with each other;

b, battery means;

c. sound emitting means;

d. a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch having two contact strips in a normally opened position, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center portion, the battery means, sound emitting means and reed switch being electrically connected in series;

e. a magnet having its north and south poles positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal dimensions of the contact strips of the reed switch causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to either the front end or the back end of the switch, the contact arms remaining open when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the switch, the sound emitting means being energized when the contact strips are closed; and

f. an arm reciprocally movably mounted through and extending beyond the apertures of the front and back walls, positioned parallel to the reed switch within the housing,-the magnet being mounted at the center of the arm adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch for movement with the arm.

5. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 4 wherein means permitting the movement of the magnet to the back end of the switch.

6. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 5 wherein a. the second side wall is formed with two apertures;

b. a single pole switch is mounted through one aperture and is electrically connected in series to the battery means, sound emitting means and reed switch; and

c. a telephone plug is mounted through the second aperture and is electrically connected to the ends of the reed switch, the telephone plug being energized when the reed switch is closed.

7. A portable alarm device operating from a 1 10 volt AC source comprising:

a. an insulating housing formed with a base, a front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls and a cover, the front wall being formed with an aperture;

b. a normally open primary circuit having two normally open contact points;

0. an electric outlet included in the primary circuit;

d. a step-down transformer electrically connected to the primary circuit to reduce the voltage;

e. sound emitting means;

. a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch having two contact strips in a normally opened position, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center portion;

g. a low voltage secondary circuit from the transformer including the reed switch and sound emitting means;

h. a relay electrically connected across the secondary circuit being operably connected to the contact points of the primary circuit;

i. a magnet having its north and south poles positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal dimensions of the-contact strips of the reed switch, causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to the front end or back end of the switch,

the contact arms remaining open when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the switch, the soundemitting means and relay being energized when the contact strips of the reed switch are closed, the relay drawing in the contact points to the primary circuit to close said circuit and energize the electric outlet; and

j. an arm having an inner and an outer end reciprocally movably mounted through the aperture in the front wall, parallel to the reed switch, the outer end extending beyond the front wall of the housing, the magnet being mounted on the inner end of the arm adjacent to the reed switch for movement with the arm.

8. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 7,

wherein a. one of the side walls of the housing is formed with twoapertures aligned with and equidistant from the center portion of. the reed switch, the'distance between the apertures being slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the magnet; and

b. a pair of removable, non-conductive spacer means are inserted through the apertures to retain the magnet at the center portion of the reed switch, the removal of one spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the front end of the reed switch and the removal of the second spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the back end of the switch.

9. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 8,

wherein a. the second side wall is formed with an aperture;

and

b. a single pole switch is mounted through the aperture'and is electrically connected in series in the secondary circuit.

10. A portable alarm device operating from a 110 volt source comprising:

a. an insulating housing formed with a base, a front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls and a removable cover, the front and back walls each being formed with an aperture in alignment with each other;

b. a normally open primary circuit having two normally open contact points;

c. an electric outlet included in the primary circuit;

d. a step-down transformer electrically connected to the primary circuit to reduce the voltage;

e. sound emitting means;

f. a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch having two contact strips in a normally opened'position, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center position;

g. a low voltage secondary circuit from the transformer including the reed switch and sound emitting means;

h. a relay electrically connected across the secondary circuit being operably connected to the contact points of the primary circuit;

i, a magnet having its north and south poles positioned perpendicular tothe longitudinal dimensions of the contact strips of the reed switch, causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to the front end or back end of the switch, the contact arms remaining open when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the switch, the sound emitting means and relay being energized when the contact strips of the reed switch are closed, the relay drawing in the contactpoints to the primary circuit to close said circuit and energize the electric outlet; and

j. an arm reciprocally movably mounted through and extending beyond the apertures of the front and back walls, positioned parallel to the reed switch within the housing, the magnet being mounted at the center of the arm adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch for movement with the arm.

11. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 10 wherein a. one of the side walls of the housing is formed with two apertures aligned with and equidistant from the center portion of the reed switch, the distance between the apertures being slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the magnet; and

. a pair of removable, non-conductive spacer means 12. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 11 wherein a. the second side wall is formed with an aperture;

and

b. a single pole switch is mounted through the aperture and is electrically connected in series in the secondary circuit.

13. A portable alarm device comprising: a. an insulating housing having a frontend and a back end, and formed with an aperture in the front end and an opening in the back end;

. battery means; sound emitting means mounted in the opening at the back end of the housing;

.a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch having two contact strips in a normally opened position, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center portion, the battery means, sound emitting means and reed switch being electrically connected in series;

. a magnet having its north and south poles positioned parallel to the longitudinal dimensions of the contact strips of the reed switch causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch, the sound emitting means being energized when the contact strips are closed;

. an arm having an inner and outer end reciprocally movably mounted through the aperture in the front end parallel to the reed switch, the outer end of the arm extending beyond the front end of the housing, the magnet being mounted on the inner end of the arm adjacent to the reed switch for movement with the arm;

. stop means mounted on the movable arm to limit the reciprocal movement of the magnet between the center portion and back portion of the reed switch.

14. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 13 closed positions comprising:

a. a housing formed with a base, a front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls and a cover, the front wall being formed with an aperture and one of the side walls being formed with two apertures;

b. a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch operatively mounted therein, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center portion and having two contact strips in a normally opened position;

c. a magnet having its north and south poles positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal dimensions of the contact strips of the reed switch causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to either the front end or the back end of the reed switch, the contact arms remaining open when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch, the apertures in one of the side walls of the housing being aligned with and equidistant from the center portion of the reed switch, the distance between the apertures being slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the magnet;

d. an arm having an inner and an outer end reciprocally movably mounted through the aperture in the front wall parallel to the reed switch, the outer end of the arm extending beyond the front wall of the housing, the magnet being mounted on the inner end of the arm adjacent to the reed switch for movement with the arm;

e. a pair of non-conductive spacer means removably mounted through the apertures of the side wall to retain the magnet at the center portion of the reed switch, the removal of one spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the front end of the reed switch and the removal of the second spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the back end of the switch. 16. A switch assembly having one opened and two closed positions comprising:

a. a housing formed with a base, a front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls and a cover, the front and back walls each being formed with an aperture in alignment with each other, and one of the side walls being formed with two apertures;

b. a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch operatively mounted therein, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center portion and having two contact strips in a normally opened position;

c. a magnet having its north and south poles positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal dimensions of the contact strips of the reed switch causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to either the front end or the back end of the reed switch, the contact arms remaining open when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch, the apertures in one of the side walls of the housing being aligned with and equidistant from the center portion of the reed switch, the distance between the apertures being slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the magnet; d. an arm reciprocally movably mounted through and extending beyond the apertures of the front and back walls, positioned parallel to the reed switch within the housing, the magnet being mounted at the center of the arm adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch for movement with the arm;

e. a pair of non-conductive spacer means removably mounted through the apertures of the side wall to retain the magnet at the center portion of the reed switch, the removal of one spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the front end of the reed switch and the removal of the second spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the back end of the switch. 

1. A portable alarm device comprising: a. an insulating housing formed with a base, a front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls and a removable cover, the front wall being formed with an aperture; b. battery means; c. sound emitting means; d. a glass enclosed magnetic reed sWitch having two contact strips in a normally opened position, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center portion, the battery means, sound emitting means and reed switch being electrically connected in series; e. a magnet having its north and south poles positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal dimensions of the contact strips of the reed switch causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to either the front end or the back end of the reed switch, the contact arms remaining open when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch, the sound emitting means being energized when the contact strips are closed; and f. an arm having an inner and an outer end reciprocally movably mounted through the aperture in the front wall parallel to the reed switch, the outer end of the arm extending beyond the front wall of the housing, the magnet being mounted on the inner end of the arm adjacent to the reed switch for movement with the arm.
 2. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 1, wherein a. one of the side walls of the housing is formed with two apertures aligned with and equidistant from the center portion of the reed switch, the distance between the apertures being slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the magnet; and b. a pair of removable, non-conductive spacer means are inserted through the apertures to retain the magnet at the center portion of the reed switch, the removal of one spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the front end of the reed switch and the removal of the second spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the back end of the switch.
 3. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 2, wherein a. the second side wall is formed with two apertures; b. a single pole switch is mounted through one aperture and is electrically connected in series to the battery means, sound emitting means and reed switch; and c. a telephone plug is mounted through the second aperture and is electrically connected to the reed switch, the telephone plug being energized when the reed switch is closed.
 4. A portable alarm device comprising: a. an insulating housing formed with a base, a front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls and a removable cover, the front and back walls each being formed with an aperture in alignment with each other; b. battery means; c. sound emitting means; d. a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch having two contact strips in a normally opened position, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center portion, the battery means, sound emitting means and reed switch being electrically connected in series; e. a magnet having its north and south poles positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal dimensions of the contact strips of the reed switch causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to either the front end or the back end of the switch, the contact arms remaining open when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the switch, the sound emitting means being energized when the contact strips are closed; and f. an arm reciprocally movably mounted through and extending beyond the apertures of the front and back walls, positioned parallel to the reed switch within the housing, the magnet being mounted at the center of the arm adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch for movement with the arm.
 5. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 4 wherein a. one of the side walls of the housing is formed with two apertures aligned with and equidistant from the center portion of the reed switch, the distance between the apertures being slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the magnet; b. a pair of removable, non-conductive spacer means are inserted through the apertures to retain the magnet at the center portion of the reed switch, the removal of one spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the front end of the reed switch anD the removal of the second spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the back end of the switch.
 6. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 5 wherein a. the second side wall is formed with two apertures; b. a single pole switch is mounted through one aperture and is electrically connected in series to the battery means, sound emitting means and reed switch; and c. a telephone plug is mounted through the second aperture and is electrically connected to the ends of the reed switch, the telephone plug being energized when the reed switch is closed.
 7. A portable alarm device operating from a 110 volt AC source comprising: a. an insulating housing formed with a base, a front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls and a cover, the front wall being formed with an aperture; b. a normally open primary circuit having two normally open contact points; c. an electric outlet included in the primary circuit; d. a step-down transformer electrically connected to the primary circuit to reduce the voltage; e. sound emitting means; f. a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch having two contact strips in a normally opened position, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center portion; g. a low voltage secondary circuit from the transformer including the reed switch and sound emitting means; h. a relay electrically connected across the secondary circuit being operably connected to the contact points of the primary circuit; i. a magnet having its north and south poles positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal dimensions of the contact strips of the reed switch, causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to the front end or back end of the switch, the contact arms remaining open when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the switch, the sound emitting means and relay being energized when the contact strips of the reed switch are closed, the relay drawing in the contact points to the primary circuit to close said circuit and energize the electric outlet; and j. an arm having an inner and an outer end reciprocally movably mounted through the aperture in the front wall, parallel to the reed switch, the outer end extending beyond the front wall of the housing, the magnet being mounted on the inner end of the arm adjacent to the reed switch for movement with the arm.
 8. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 7, wherein a. one of the side walls of the housing is formed with two apertures aligned with and equidistant from the center portion of the reed switch, the distance between the apertures being slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the magnet; and b. a pair of removable, non-conductive spacer means are inserted through the apertures to retain the magnet at the center portion of the reed switch, the removal of one spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the front end of the reed switch and the removal of the second spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the back end of the switch.
 9. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 8, wherein a. the second side wall is formed with an aperture; and b. a single pole switch is mounted through the aperture and is electrically connected in series in the secondary circuit.
 10. A portable alarm device operating from a 110 volt source comprising: a. an insulating housing formed with a base, a front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls and a removable cover, the front and back walls each being formed with an aperture in alignment with each other; b. a normally open primary circuit having two normally open contact points; c. an electric outlet included in the primary circuit; d. a step-down transformer electrically connected to the primary circuit to reduce the voltage; e. sound emitting means; f. a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch having two contact strips in a normally opened position, the reed Switch having a front end, back end and center position; g. a low voltage secondary circuit from the transformer including the reed switch and sound emitting means; h. a relay electrically connected across the secondary circuit being operably connected to the contact points of the primary circuit; i. a magnet having its north and south poles positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal dimensions of the contact strips of the reed switch, causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to the front end or back end of the switch, the contact arms remaining open when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the switch, the sound emitting means and relay being energized when the contact strips of the reed switch are closed, the relay drawing in the contact points to the primary circuit to close said circuit and energize the electric outlet; and j. an arm reciprocally movably mounted through and extending beyond the apertures of the front and back walls, positioned parallel to the reed switch within the housing, the magnet being mounted at the center of the arm adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch for movement with the arm.
 11. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 10 wherein a. one of the side walls of the housing is formed with two apertures aligned with and equidistant from the center portion of the reed switch, the distance between the apertures being slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the magnet; and b. a pair of removable, non-conductive spacer means are inserted through the apertures to retain the magnet at the center portion of the reed switch, the removal of one spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the front end of the reed switch and the removal of the second spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the back end of the switch.
 12. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 11 wherein a. the second side wall is formed with an aperture; and b. a single pole switch is mounted through the aperture and is electrically connected in series in the secondary circuit.
 13. A portable alarm device comprising: a. an insulating housing having a front end and a back end, and formed with an aperture in the front end and an opening in the back end; b. battery means; c. sound emitting means mounted in the opening at the back end of the housing; d. a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch having two contact strips in a normally opened position, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center portion, the battery means, sound emitting means and reed switch being electrically connected in series; e. a magnet having its north and south poles positioned parallel to the longitudinal dimensions of the contact strips of the reed switch causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch, the sound emitting means being energized when the contact strips are closed; f. an arm having an inner and outer end reciprocally movably mounted through the aperture in the front end parallel to the reed switch, the outer end of the arm extending beyond the front end of the housing, the magnet being mounted on the inner end of the arm adjacent to the reed switch for movement with the arm; g. stop means mounted on the movable arm to limit the reciprocal movement of the magnet between the center portion and back portion of the reed switch.
 14. A portable alarm device as recited in claim 13 wherein the magnet is held in a guide means of resilient material.
 15. A switch assembly having one opened and two closed positions comprising: a. a housing formed with a base, a front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls and a cover, the front wall being formed with an aperture and one of the side walls being formed with two apertures; b. a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch operatively mounted therein, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center portion and having two contact strips in a normally opened position; c. a magnet having its north and south poles positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal dimensions of the contact strips of the reed switch causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to either the front end or the back end of the reed switch, the contact arms remaining open when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch, the apertures in one of the side walls of the housing being aligned with and equidistant from the center portion of the reed switch, the distance between the apertures being slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the magnet; d. an arm having an inner and an outer end reciprocally movably mounted through the aperture in the front wall parallel to the reed switch, the outer end of the arm extending beyond the front wall of the housing, the magnet being mounted on the inner end of the arm adjacent to the reed switch for movement with the arm; e. a pair of non-conductive spacer means removably mounted through the apertures of the side wall to retain the magnet at the center portion of the reed switch, the removal of one spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the front end of the reed switch and the removal of the second spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the back end of the switch.
 16. A switch assembly having one opened and two closed positions comprising: a. a housing formed with a base, a front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls and a cover, the front and back walls each being formed with an aperture in alignment with each other, and one of the side walls being formed with two apertures; b. a glass enclosed magnetic reed switch operatively mounted therein, the reed switch having a front end, back end and center portion and having two contact strips in a normally opened position; c. a magnet having its north and south poles positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal dimensions of the contact strips of the reed switch causing the contact strips to close when the magnet is adjacent to either the front end or the back end of the reed switch, the contact arms remaining open when the magnet is adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch, the apertures in one of the side walls of the housing being aligned with and equidistant from the center portion of the reed switch, the distance between the apertures being slightly larger than the longitudinal dimension of the magnet; d. an arm reciprocally movably mounted through and extending beyond the apertures of the front and back walls, positioned parallel to the reed switch within the housing, the magnet being mounted at the center of the arm adjacent to the center portion of the reed switch for movement with the arm; e. a pair of non-conductive spacer means removably mounted through the apertures of the side wall to retain the magnet at the center portion of the reed switch, the removal of one spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the front end of the reed switch and the removal of the second spacer means permitting the movement of the magnet to the back end of the switch. 